Send us a text Caesar shares his remarkable journey from being born in Mexico to becoming a U.S. Marine and later an ICE agent, before ultimately retiring when faced with the COVID vaccine mandate that contradicted his personal convictions. • Growing up poor and constantly moving throughout California shaped his quiet personality and strong work ethic • Joined the Marine Corps at 18 despite initial hesitation and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay for his first assignment • Witnessed the stark differences between military leadership and federal agency management throughout his career • Started as a detention officer with INS after working security, eventually transitioning to ICE after 9/11 • Observed increasing workplace politics, favoritism, and declining standards of professionalism over his two decades of service • Refused the COVID vaccine despite pressure and potential career consequences, choosing principles over his position • Experienced significant mental health struggles after retiring, spending nearly a year bedridden before beginning recovery • Cautions those entering federal service with idealistic motivations that they may face disillusionment if they expect the same values as military service "If you go into federal law enforcement just as a job to make money, you're going to do good, but if you go in there because of national security, because of the Constitution, the country, you're going to be disappointed and then you're going to be miserable." Support the show
